Duterte doesn't want the next president to have links with communists, illegal drugs
President Duterte on Tuesday said he does not like the next president to be influenced by the communists as well as to have links with illegal drugs.
Duterte reiterated that he "will not support any presidential candidate" for the upcoming elections except "if there is a compelling reason to campaign or endorse a particular candidate."
"Kasi ayaw ko 'yung, not because of personal, wala yung mga ano, except that ayaw ko 'yung mga komunista nakikipag halo sa kanila ngayon. Delikado 'yan...so with drugs (It's not a personal reason. But I don't want that they're mingling with the communists now. That's dangerous. So with drugs)," he said as he presided over the joint National Task Force-Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict meeting in Butuan City.
But for now, the President said, he "really do not have an idea who among the candidates" is influenced by the communists.
The President made the pronouncement as he expressed concern over the communist infiltration, especially in the barangays.
He said it is important for the government to keep hold of the barangay government units that they have already reclaimed from the communists' influence.
"Kasi 'pag iniwanan ng sundalo agad... 'pag nawala na ang sundalo, ang papalit ang komunista nanaman (If the soldiers leave them, the communists will take over). It's a never ending cycle," he said.
Duterte delivered his speech during the anti-communist meeting so that attendees will know the truth as well as "the entrails of the political system."